Top 10 Kanye West Feature Verses

Kanye West has remained one of the most talked about names in the world of music, for seemingly anything BUT his actual music as of late. In my opinion, this isn’t because the quality of his work has declined; it’s only changed in a way that a lot of more traditional hip-hop heads don’t “approve” of. Either way, Yeezy has been making headlines for non-music activities, from his outlandish interviews to his outfits and fashion line. But with the release of ScHoolboy Q’s new single “That Part“, we were reminded of an undeniable thing: when he’s focused, Kanye West is one of the dopest, most entertaining rappers you can call for a feature verse.

Rich nigga, still eatin’ catfish
That bitch ain’t really bad, that’s a catfish
If I walk up out of Saks Fifth
Have the paparazzi doin’ backflips

The whole verse is fun as hell, complete with the clever one-liners and hilarious adlibs that have made ‘Ye such a trusted go-to for good features. Excluding “That Part”, as it’s just too damn recent to really consider yet, let’s take a look back at some of the best feature verses of Kanye’s illustrious career in chronological order.

“Get By (remix)” – Talib Kweli (2003)

It’s something about that Nina Simone piano flow
It’s like a Michaelangelo painted a portrait of Maya Angelou
And gave it to a sick poet for they antidote
If music gets you choked up, this is the tree and a rope

“Selfish” – Slum Village (2004)

From the Polo fleece to the Jesus piece
I got family in high places like Jesus’ niece
Can I please, say my peace?
If y’all fresh to death, then I’m deceased

“This Way” – Dilated Peoples (2004)

I want a good girl, she want a gentleman
We saying the same thing like a synonym
I wasn’t really spittin’ game, I was scrimmagin’
My penmanship so hard it needs censorship

“They Say” – Common (2005)

They say because of the fame and stardom
I’m somewhere in between the church and insane asylum
I guess it’s messin with my health then
And this verse so crazy when I finish
I’m just gon check myself in – again

“In the Mood” – Talib Kweli (2007)

You ain’t figured out what I’m about yet
Always rockin’ that “this ain’t out yet”
But this ain’t ’bout that
From a city where niggas plug like outlets
Far as music go, yo, it ain’t no outlets

“American Boy” – Estelle (2008)

What’s your persona about this Americana rhymer?
Am I shallow ’cause all my clothes designer?
Dressed smart like a London bloke, before he speak his suit bespoke
And you thought he was cute before, look at this pea coat, tell me he’s broke

“Run This Town” – Jay-Z (2009)

Police escorts, everybody passports
This the life that everybody ask for
This the fast life, we are on a crash course
What you think I rap for, to push a fuckin’ Rav 4?

“Welcome to the World” – T.I. (2011)

Soon as Wayne get out, Tip go in
Wonder why the nigga wanna make the clip go in
Wonder why it so hard when it get going
Hold ya head my niggas, the system is
Made to make niggas fall
Made to make niggas fail
Especially if you ball
They don’t take niggas well

“Diamonds (remix) – Rihanna (2012)

You just look stupid to be ignoring
The Delorean parked in front of Armani emporium
And parties at Richie is getting risky
Victoria’s Secret show, they miss me

“Smuckers” – Tyler, the Creator (2015)

They say I’m crazy, but that’s the best thing goin’ for me
You can’t Lynch Marshawn if Tom Brady throwin’ to me